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Elections for Police and Crime Commissioner and local by-elections were held Thursday last week. We would like to thank everyone who worked in the polling stations, took part in the counts and behind the scenes.
On Friday, the count for the local government by-elections took place in Workington Leisure Centre. The winners of the five borough council seats were as follows:
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Aspatria ward: Kevin Thurlow (Independent)
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Cockermouth Christchurch ward: Alan Kennon (Conservative)
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Ellen and Gilcrux ward: Patrick Gorrill (Conservative)
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Seaton and Northside ward: Colin Sharpe (Conservative)
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Workington St John's ward: Antony David McGuckin (Labour)
Cumbria PCC election was won by:
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Peter McCall (Conservative)
A full list of the results from the local elections can be found on our website by clicking the link below.
A message from our colleagues at Cumbria Tourism:
"The Confederation of Passenger Transport (CPT) has recently launched its new strategy which is interesting reading for any tourism businesses currently or interested in catering to the group travel sector.
As part of the CPT's 'Let’s Get Touring project' (learn more here) they have been compiling information for suppliers including hotels and attractions planning to welcome coach groups. During the pandemic the association has also widened this opportunity to non-members of CTA who have the VisitEngland “We’re Good to Go” Industry Standard and provide coach group incentives such as group rates, coach parking and facilities. You can add your information for free here..
Following requests for coach-friendly venues attractions and accommodation, please also let us know whether you will be welcoming coach groups by emailing campaigns@cumbriatourism.org. Also, if you have any news stories or incentives that you would like to share then please do let us know."
The current plastic bag charge of 5p will now be upped to 10p and will be extended to all businesses in bid to ramp up war on plastic waste.
The single-use carrier bag charge, which has seen a 95% cut in plastic bag sales in major supermarkets since 2015, will be increased from 5p to 10p and extended to all businesses in England from 21 May to help drive down sales further.
As a result of the carrier bag charge, the average person in England now buys just four single-use carrier bags a year from the main supermarkets, compared with 140 in 2014. By extending the charge to all retailers, it is expected that the use of single-use carrier bags will decrease by 70-80% in small and medium-sized businesses.
Small businesses across the country are being urged to prepare themselves for the changes ahead of them coming into force on 21 May. It comes as new research finds the charge is supported overwhelmingly by the public – with 95% of people in England acknowledging the wide-ranging benefits to the environment so far.
For more information, check out the Gov.uk website.
This year Mental Health Awareness Week has the theme of nature and focuses on the benefits of being surrounded by the natural environment.
There’s a lot of good research to support the role nature can play in protecting and supporting our mental health. For many of us though, 'being in nature’ may not be as easy as it sounds.
The good news is, you don’t have to climb a mountain to feel the benefit – there are lots of simple ways to bring nature into your everyday.
Check out the Mental Health Foundation website to get some top tips about brining nature to you, nature research and further ideas on how to support and strengthen your mental health. Click here to find out more.
What are Allerdale Borough Council doing? Well our brilliant HR department have set up a page on our Intranet for everyone to share their experiences with nature by posting a photograph, video or sound recording. They have also devised a nature bingo card to give ideas on what we can all do either by ourselves or with family and friends.
Letters have been sent to VAT-registered businesses in Great Britain trading with the EU, or the EU and the rest of the world.
They explain what businesses need to do to comply with the new rules and processes for moving goods between Great Britain and the EU, including:
- making sure they have a UK Economic Operator Registration and Identification (EORI) number
- ensuring they are ready to make customs declarations
- checking if their goods are eligible for the preferential zero duty rates
- preparing for the end of staged import controls on 1 January 2022
Businesses can keep up to date with the latest information about trading with the EU by registering for HMRC’s email updates.
These letters can also be found on the Gov.uk website.
Since launching the second Tourism Breakfast briefing of the year, we have had some fab businesses signed up to take part.
Hosted this Friday (14th May), this week is your last chance to get registered. Here is a quick reminder of the agenda and how to secure your place:
- 08:30 Welcome by councillors
- 08:40 Covid-19 business support and restart grants. Alex Fitzgerald (ABC)
- 08:55 Reopening safely and legally for Step 3. The essential guide from our Environmental Health Teams.
- 09:10 Updates from the Allerdale and Copeland Tourism Teams. Joe Broomfield & Katie Read.
- 09:40 Q & A session with all speakers and contributions from a range of Council Teams
If you would like to attend, click here: https://bit.ly/3h477GM
Cumbria Chamber of Commerce has launched a Kickstart Scheme UK placement vacancy page on its website so young people can see placement positions on offer.
The Kickstart Scheme provides funding to create new jobs for 16 to 24 year olds on Universal Credit who are at risk of long term unemployment.
Cumbria Chamber of Commerce are an approved gateway provider, and have helped secure over 350 placements for young people in the county. Applications made through the Chamber are much more likely to be approved than applying directly.
Employers of all sizes can apply for funding which covers:
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100% of the National Minimum Wage (or the National Living Wage depending on the age of the participant) for 25 hours per week for a total of 6 months
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associated employer National Insurance contributions
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any relevant workplace pension contributions (automatic enrolment)
There are already some great opportunities being offered by local businesses - if you would like to get involved by taking part in the Kickstart scheme please email info@cumbriachamber.co.uk.
70 years of the Lake District being a National Park -
Last week marked the 70th anniversary of England's largest national park – the Lake District - formally designated as the UK’s second park for the nation on 9 May, 1951. This anniversary follows a year in which people have appreciated open spaces and nature more than ever, as a result of the Covid-19 Pandemic.
Read more on their press release here.
Fountain Gallery, Wigton moves into bigger premises -
After almost 10 years in their current location on the High Street, Fountain Gallery have announced they will be moving to a bigger and better premises on Old Bank Street, Wigton. It is great to see cultural businesses bettering themselves and thriving after a tough year. They will be opening the doors to their new home on Tuesday 1st June.
Check out their Facebook page here.
Sisters-in-law run 100 miles for Hospice at Home West Cumbria -
Two women ran 100 miles to raise money for charities close to their hearts.
Sisters-in-law Bethany Bennett and Kelly Brown, both of Workington, ran just under five miles every day for a month.
They raised a total of £2,189 which they have donated to Hospice at Home West Cumbria and the Multiple Sclerosis Society.
The pair were running in memory of three "inspirational" women: Joan Bennett, Lorraine Bennett and Mary Wordsworth.
Bethany said: “Although it has been a tough month, it has been lovely to complete this in memory of three inspirational women that we miss daily.
Read more on the News & Star here.
Elections 2021 -
So this isn't quite local news but we couldn't help but share this brilliant BBC article looking at what is now the traditional shots of the polling stations - lots and lots of dogs! We hope this brightens your Monday.
Click for more strolls to the polls and paws at the doors here.
Cumbria Action for Sustainability are hosting a webinar on 'Environmental action advice for businesses'. This webinar will give you the chance to discuss your own ideas, aspirations and the challenges you are facing with a panel of sustainable business advisers. If you would like to attend, click here to register.
The first of six Women in Business sessions will be held by Cumbria Chamber of Commerce. Women in Business: Talking Success Stories will be held on the 27 May 2021. If you are interested, register here.
Nuclear Decommissioning Authority are hosting a webinar introducing the Robotics and AI Collaboration Laboratory in Cumbria. The lab will will enable end users
and the supply chain, to work collaboratively towards developing and
delivering the next generation of robotics services, using nuclear decommissioning as a first
use case. If you would like to register, please click here.
ERDF and Northern Powerhouse have put together a two day programme (17th & 24th May) of workshops to learn about setting up and internationalising your website, Search Engine Optimisation (SEO), choosing the most relevant e-marketplaces, fulfilment, taxation and selling through social media. If you would like to register, please email ERDFinfo@tradenw.org
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